FDA Takes First Step in Approving Genetically Engineered Meat

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Thursday released a set of proposed guidelines that producers of genetically engineered animals would need to follow to determine any possible risks to humans.

The latest step increases the possibility of genetically engineered animals entering the nation’s food supply.

Currently, genetically modified cattle, pigs, fish and goats are being used as some produce pharmaceuticals in their milk or blood.

"Many kinds of genetically engineered animals are in development, although none has yet been approved by the agency for marketing," FDA Deputy Commissioner Randall Lutter said.

Lutter said the release of new guidelines came at a time when “the technology has evolved to a point where commercialization of these animals is no longer over the horizon."

The new guidelines face a 60-day public comment period, which lasts until Nov.18 before they become official.

Under the draft guidance, in those cases in which the GE animal is intended for food use, producers will have to demonstrate that food from the GE animal is safe to eat. The FDA will review this information as part of its food safety assessment, consistent with that recommended in the recently adopted Codex Alimentarius Guideline for the Conduct of Food Safety Assessment of Foods Derived from Recombinant-DNA Animals, the FDA said in a statement.

U.S. supermarkets currently sell no meat from genetically engineered animals.

Source: redOrbit